Meet the Man Behind PICK’s Public-Private Partnership

Two-time graduate Dato’ Dr Anas Alam Faizli spent years in the oil and gas (O&G), construction and hospital support service industries prior to joining ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd, which is the implementer of private medical practitioners (PMP) and healthcare-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) participation in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK). Always drawn to challenges, Dato’ Dr Anas takes some time off his busy schedule to talk to us about the company’s involvement with PICK, and healthcare reform in Malaysia.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I graduated twice as a pioneer graduate from OUM, first with a Master of Project Management, and then with a Doctor of Business Administration.

I’m currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd (ProtectHealth), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ProtectHealth Malaysia under the Ministry of Health (MOH) that was incorporated in 2016. As a not-for-profit company, ProtectHealth coordinates, administers, and manages initiatives related to financing healthcare services as mandated by MOH. We were initially approved to implement Voluntary Health Insurance and as a Strategic Purchaser in reducing healthcare costs and enhancing primary healthcare.

I was named the Oil and Gas Expert by the Ministry of Human Resources. I am also the author of the bestselling book “Rich Malaysia, Poor Malaysians”. This bilingual book provides insightful policy ideas to ensure that Malaysia can give its best to future generations. I live my life with one hope – for future generations to inherit a better Malaysia!

What are the things people might find surprising about you?

I am a big fan of history and can quote historical facts from various parts of the world. I even memorised an excerpt from Patrick Henry’s speech at the 1775 Virginia Convention, in which he proclaimed, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”. I also love to travel, and I’m a very curious person. I recently picked up golfing and hope to play it once the pandemic is over. I am a positive person and believe in giving back to society. I tend to gravitate towards socio-economic issues, and strongly believe we must provide the best education and healthcare to the people.

You were initially in the O&G industry but now manage a different portfolio. What are your duties as a CEO of ProtectHealth?

As CEO, I lead the company to ensure efficient management, make corporate decisions, and manage overall operations and resources. I’m also the public persona for the company. All of this is to achieve the company’s vision and mission, as well as to support the mandate given to us, that is to focus on the well-being of the people. Most importantly, my role is to inspire and ensure that all ProtectHealth Heroes (what we call our employees) do their best in discharging their duties.

Personally, it is exciting to be in a role that can inspire healthcare reforms. Not many can be in a corporate role but also serve the national agenda while giving back to the society.

Walk us through your organisation’s involvement in PICK.

ProtectHealth has been implementing a public-private partnership under Skim Peduli Kesihatan for the B40 group (PeKa B40), involving more than 2,000 private clinics. Given our experience and capabilities in discharging a strategic purchasing role, we have been appointed by the MOH as the implementer of PMPs’ participation in PICK for the second and third phases of the vaccination programme.

Our involvement in PICK is extensive, involving everything from encouraging private clinics to come on board, rolling out vaccination centres (PPVs), and coordinating the involvement of PMPs outside of their facilities where they are involved as a Healthcare Organisers at PPV Integrasi or PPV Industri established by the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force.

Recently, our scope of responsibilities has expanded to also oversee the participation of healthcare-related NGOs in PICK. These NGOs help with home-to-home vaccinations in rural areas, for the sickly and bedridden, elderly, Orang Asli, homeless, and migrants.

In principle, these efforts strive to bring everyone on-board with the vaccination programme, in line with strengthening public-private partnership in the healthcare sector. We have thus far been involved in the setting up of more than 2,000 PPVs and inoculation of more than 15 million doses of vaccination. We are committed to help fulfil the vaccination target to all adults before the end of October 2021.

Looking ahead, what is the way forward for your organisation?

In addition to our role in the PeKa B40 programme, we have also started a new role as Electronic Service Provider operator for Skim Perlindungan Insurans Kesihatan Pekerja Asing (SPIKPA).

This year, we have proven successful in championing and strengthening public and private partnerships through the nationwide rollout of PeKa B40 and the PMP participation in PICK. Our capabilities have been recognised and we are ready to take on more significant responsibilities.

Healthcare costs are rising and becoming unsustainable. Workload distribution is unequal, so the challenge is to rationalise and redistribute this workload as well as reduce private healthcare costs. Developing affordable healthcare financing for all is something we should look into, especially in the context of Voluntary Health Insurance.

It’s a long process, but we are taking the necessary steps to reach our goals. In essence, I foresee that we will continue to be a key driver for healthcare reform in the country.

By Izyan Diyana Merzuki